Sorry I have not posted since last Saturday. Sunday was a busy day and then we did not have internet in LaCeiba. On Sunday we went to church at Los Pinos. Andrew Dorris led singing in English and did an amazing job. We took the opportunity to take lots of pics that day since we were somewhat presentable for a change. After church we went back to Villa Gracia and everyone shared what food they had left for lunch. It was awesome. That afternoon was spent gathering, giving away and packing. Late afternoon we headed to El Patio for our "banquet". Lots of pics, laughter, sharing and food! First they brought us drinks - coke, diet coke, sprite. Then, bean dip with goat cheese that were in these clay pots that were so hot that they made the cheese melt. After that a platter of appetizers that I am not sure about. Maybe some fried cheese, a bread type thing that they say was sweet and plaintain. Then we were each brought a bowl of rice. We had pre-ordered either chicken or beef. I ordered chicken. It came on a long kabob but it was not pieces of boneless chicken like you would make at home. They were actual pieces of rilled chicken! It was enough for at least 2-3 people. I felt so guilty not eating all of it but Mark always thinks ahead. We took all the meat that was left from each big table of people and packaged it up to give to children waiting outside the restaurant and the rest to our bus drivers. Our last devo was in the dark because at the reservoir that serves the entire country the main transformer blew and the ENTIRE COUNTRY was without power. It was a little creepy when we found that out because here we are on top of a mountain in a third world country with one guard with a pistol guarding us. Short-lived fear because the spirit of the Lord was upon me. Before devo was over the power was back on. Then back to our rooms to finish packing and get ready to be outside with everything at 5 to get on the school bus to ride to meet the charter bus to ride 8 hours to LaCeiba. When we got to the gas station Ellen comes to me and says Andrew doesn't feel well. I go over to him and he has that look like he has had after the last two Country Music Marathons. Not good and I start praying! I go back into doctor mode - get out all medicine I can think of, buy him a Ginger Ale, put him on the charter bus first and tell Ellen she is in charge of taking care of him. There was not room on there for me. I was on the coaster bus that held about 20 people. My new friend, Robin Parker, and I talked the entire way there. What a ride! We are not talking interstate here people. Two lane roads at best up hill a lot, traffic, bridges out so you have to detour on gravel roads. The worst was that the air went out quickly into the trip and we were heading away from the mountains to the coast! I have never been so glad to get off a bus. When we arrived it was hot at the resort. I was thinking, "I wish we had just gone home." But, we got into our rooms and there was air conditioning and hot water in the shower that now I only had to share with 3 other people. Piece of cake. The restaurant was a buffet and I was skeptical of the food because there are obviously no health department inspecitons there! There was fountain coke and hot Lipton tea so that was helpful. On Tuesday we spent the day relaxing and enjoying the pool, watching the kids play, participated in a water aerobics class, read a book and sat on a veranda in a big wicker rocker and took a little cat nap. At dinner that night, a couple of my girls weren't feeling well again. I did what I could and know that again they had not drank enough water that day. Since they did not feel well, I ended up staying up until we boarded the bus at 1:30 am to depart for the airport. Right as we were getting ready to leave, my new friend, Stan, a dad with two precious daughters came to me asking for medicine. He ended up being sick on the bus the entire way back. I again was on the coaster bus and felt sorry for another new friend, Steve, who is very tall and had ended up with a seat behind the front passenger seat with no leg room and that didn't recline so I switched with him. Needless to say, I didn't sleep so I prayed for my girls and Stan all the way back to Teguc. It took us 7 and 1/2 hours to to get to the airport. We tried to eat McDonald's - yuck and then went through security and got to our gate. Our Oklahoma, Indiana and Kentucky friends were departing before us and we went to see them off. I cried so much. These people have grown to mean so much to me in such a short time. Men, women, teens and children who have met me and heard my life story and still love me unconditionally. We became a community in 12 days - nobody acted better than anybody else, everyone shared their hearts and possessions, laughed and cried together. It was a community of believers changed by God. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful - praise God! When going through customs of course I was the chosen one to be searched. I was so tired by this time - could not sleep on the plane.
The customs guy called me "Feisty Lady" but ended up being nice. We get to our gate and all the kids and Tim go to eat. I stayed back with Katherine and the bags. I finally got a turn to eat and had a simple turkey sandwich and a real Diet Coke. It was so good! We were all punch drunk by the time the plane took off from Atlanta. Saying crazy things, laughing, etc. When we arrived in Birmingham there was a big contingent waiting for us! How sweet and precious to see them. I was so glad to feel Jeff's strong arms wrapped around me. Sherry brought me sweet tea and Telia made chocolate cake. Yum yum! Even when we got home I still could not wind down. I finally went to bed around 12:30 after being up for 40 hours! I hosted a bridal shower at my house yesterday and on Thursday morning Jeff woke me up to tell me we had a water problem. The ice maker line had busted. No problems I thought. I can go to the bathroom outside and I still have some water in my cup from last night so I can brush my teeth. Guess God wanted to ease me back into the lap of luxury. The "Pre-Honduras Lee" would have been so mad and upset. The "Post-Honduras Lee" just took it in stride and said "It is what it is, whatcha gonna do? It's all good" It is so not about me and things being perfect anymore. I feel so strange not doing manual labor and laying around. I need a mountain to move....thank you to all of you who have prayed for us, supported us by giving of your time, money and gifts. It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced and I cannot wait until next year....yes, I am going back!

running on faith,
Lee